Power circuits for reducing a number of power supply voltage taps required for sensing a resistive memory

ABSTRACT

A resistive memory device requires a power supply having a reduced number of voltage taps and reduced power consumption. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, one or more voltages used by a reference circuit which are normally supplied by different taps of a power supply are generated by corresponding power circuits. In accordance with a second exemplary embodiment, the power circuits are coupled to the bit lines and replace the reference circuit in a manner to improve sensing margin.

This application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/129,315, filed May 16, 2005 now U.S. Pat No. 7,269,079, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to resistive memories. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for eliminating a power supply tap for supplying one or more reference voltages ordinarily used for sensing the state of a resistive memory cell.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a resistive memory cell 100 in relationship to a bit line 121, a word line 122, and a cell plate 110. The resistive memory cell 100 includes an access transistor 101 having one source/drain coupled to the bit line 121, a gate coupled to the word line 122, and another source/drain coupled to a bi-stable resistive material element 102. The bi-stable resistive material element 102 is also coupled a cell plate 110, which is typically shared among a plurality of resistive memory cells 100. The cell plate 110 is also coupled to a source of cell plate voltage designated as CPIN.

The bi-stable resistive material 102 can be any type of material that can be set to at least two different resistive states. The memory cell 100 may be classified based on the type of bi-stable resistive material 102. For example, in programmable conductor random access memory (PCRAM) cell the bi-stable resistive material 102 is typically a type of chalcogenide glass, while MRAM cells, phase-change cells, polymer memory cells, and other types of resistive memory cells employ other corresponding types of bi-stable resistive material 102.

By way of example, the illustrated resistive memory cell 100 is a PCRAM cell, in which the bi-stable resistive material element 102 may be respectively set to a first resistive state (e.g., approximately 10K ohm) or a second resistive state (e.g., approximately 10M ohm), via a first programming voltage (e.g. approximately 0.25 volt) and a second programming voltage (e.g., approximately −0.25 volt). The resistive memory cell 100 may be read by pre-charging the bit line 121 to a predetermined voltage while the access transistor 101 is non-conducting, and then causing the access transistor 101 to become conducting, thereby discharging the bit line 121 through the resistive memory cell 100 to the cell plate 110 for a predetermined time. If the voltage across the bi-stable resistive material 102 is of a magnitude less than the magnitude of the programming voltages, the read process will not alter the state of the bi-stable resistive material 102. The discharge rate is based on the state of the bi-stable resistive material 102.

A combination of cell plate voltage, bit line pre-charge voltage, and bi-stable resistive material 102 resistance may be chosen such that, when discharged, bit line 121 can be sensed using sensing circuits. Typically each sensing circuit is also coupled to a reference bit line, which is charged to a predetermined voltage. The predetermined voltage is set to an intermediate value between the two possible voltages of the bit line 121 being associated with the memory cell being read. The operation of the sensing circuit pulls the bit line having the higher voltage to an even higher voltage and pulls the bit line having the lower voltage down to a lower voltage (e.g., ground). Thus, after the operation of the sensing circuit, a comparator coupled to both bit lines can be used to output a digital signal corresponding to the state of the memory cell being read.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate examples of portions of two resistive memory devices 200. Each memory device 200 includes a plurality of resistive memory cells 100, organized into an array by a plurality of word lines 122 a-122 f and a plurality of bit lines 121 a-121 d. Each word line (generally referred to by numeral 122) and each bit line (generally referred to by numeral 121) are identical. The alphanumeric suffixes at the end of each word line 122 and bit line 121 are for distinguishing between individual word lines 122 and bit lines 121 in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

Due to space limitations, only a limited number of word lines 122, bit lines 121, and memory cells 100 are illustrated. However, it should be appreciated that actual memory devices typically include many more word lines 122, bit lines 121, and cells 100. FIGS. 2A and 2B also illustrate a plurality of sensing circuits 300, which are used for reading information stored in the memory cells 100.

FIG. 2A is an illustration of an open architecture, where each sensing circuit 300 is associated with two bit lines (e.g., bit lines 121 a and 121 b) each associated with a different memory array 210. In contrast, FIG. 2B is an illustration of a folded architecture, where each sensing circuit 300 is still associated with two bit lines (e.g., 121 a, 121 b). However, in FIG. 2B these two bit lines are associated with alternating (i.e., odd/even) memory cells 100 of a same memory array 210.

FIG. 3 is a more detailed illustration of a sensing circuit 300. The sensing circuit 300 includes an equalization circuit 310, a reference setting circuit 320, a switching circuit 330, and a sense amplifier 340. A multi-tap power supply 360 provides power at Veq, DVC2, Vref, and Vcc voltage levels to the sensing circuit 300. A control circuit 350 provides control signals EQ, REFE, REFO, and SA_ISO to the sensing circuit 300. The use of these voltages and control signals are described in greater detail below.

The equalization circuit 310 includes two input nodes A1 and A2, each coupled to a respective bit line 121. One of the two bit lines 121 is a bit line connected to a memory cell 100 which will be read. The other bit line is another bit line 121 which is coupled to the same sensing circuit 300 as the bit line connected to the memory cell to be read. For the description below, it is assumed that bit line 121 a is coupled to node A1 and is the bit line connected to the memory cell 100 to be read, while bit line 121 b is coupled to node A2 and is the other bit line (also known as the reference bit line). However, one skilled in the art would recognize that the roles of the bit lines may be changed depending on which memory cell is being read. The equalization circuit 310 also includes two output nodes A3 and A4, which are respectively coupled to input nodes A5 and A6 of the reference setting circuit 320. Additionally, the equalization circuit 310 accepts, from a control circuit 350 the EQ control signal at node C1. In addition, the equalization circuit 310 accepts the equalization voltage Veq voltage at node P1.

The function of the equalization circuit 310 is to equalize the voltages of the bit lines 121 a, 121 b respectively coupled to nodes A1, A2 to the Veq voltage level. The sense process performed by the sensing circuit 300 begins with the operation of the equalization circuit 310, in which the EQ control signal, which is typically asserted low, is temporarily asserted high. While the EQ control signal is asserted high, bit lines 121 a and 121 b are coupled to each other and also coupled to the Veq voltage. After a short time, both bit lines are charged to the Veq voltage. The EQ control signal is then returned to a low state, thereby decoupling bit lines 121 a and 121 b from each other and from the Veq voltage. The parasitic capacitance on the bit lines 121 a, 121 b holds the bit line voltage at the Veq level.

The reference setting circuit 320 is used to change the voltage on one of the two bit lines 121 a, 121 b from the Veq voltage to a predetermined voltage Vref. The control circuit 350 temporarily asserts high one of control signals REFE (at node C2) and REFO (at node C3) to select the bit line having the memory cell 100 to be read as the bit line for changing the voltage. The reference setting circuit 320 also accepts power at the DVC2 (at node P2) and Vref (at node P3) voltages.

The isolation circuit 330, is a switch for controllably coupling or decoupling the sense amplifier 340 from the reference setting circuit 320, and the from the bit lines coupled to nodes A1 and A2. The isolation circuit 320 accepts the SA_ISO control signal, which is normally asserted low to isolate the sense amplifier 340 from the reference setting circuit 320.

After the reference setting circuit 320 has set bit line 121 b to the predetermined voltage Vref, and while the SA_ISO control signal is asserted low, the word line 122 associated with the memory cell 100 to be read is asserted high for a predetermined time and then asserted low. During the predetermined time, the access transistor 101 of the memory cell 100 is set to a conductive state, thereby causing the bit line 121 a associated with the memory cell 100 being read to discharge through the cell plate 110. As a result, the bit line 121 a associated with the memory cell 100 being read is now at a lower voltage. Depending upon the state of the memory cell 100, the lower voltage is either at a first lower voltage which is higher in voltage than the Vref voltage, or a second lower voltage which is lower in voltage than the Vref voltage.

The SA_ISO control signal is then asserted high to couple the sense amplifier 340 to both bit lines 121 a, 121 b. The sense amplifier 340 is also respectively coupled to a Vcc power supply voltage and a ground potential voltage at nodes P4 and P5. Bit line 121 a has either a slightly higher or lower voltage than bit line 121 b, based on the state of memory cell 100. The sense amplifier 340 magnifies the voltage difference by pulling the lower voltage bit line to ground and pulling the higher voltage bit line to a higher voltage. When the sense amplifier has completed this operation, a comparator (not illustrated) associated with the sense amplifier 340 can be used to output a high or low logical state corresponding to the state of the memory cell 100 at node O1.

As described above, the sensing circuit 300 is coupled to a variety of voltages supplied by a power supply. These include the Veq, DVC2, Vref, and Vcc voltages. The requirement to provide each additional voltage from a power supply 360 makes the power supply more complicated. Accordingly, there is a need and desire to reduce the number of power supply taps required by the sensing circuit of a resistive memory, thereby reducing power consumption.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of the method and apparatus of the present invention provide for reducing the number of power supply taps required to sense a resistive memory. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, one or more voltages used by a reference circuit which are normally supplied by different taps of a power supply are generated by corresponding power circuits. In accordance with a second exemplary embodiment, the power circuits are coupled to the bit lines and replace the reference circuit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other advantages and features of the invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention given below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a resistive memory cell;

FIG. 2A illustrates a first example of a portion of a resistive memory device;

FIG. 2B illustrates a second example of a portion of a resistive memory device;

FIG. 3 illustrates a sensing circuit, including its equalization circuit, reference setting circuit, isolation circuit, and sense amplifier components;

FIG. 4 illustrates a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, including a sensing circuit and two power circuits;

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate two exemplary embodiments of the power circuits of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 illustrates a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, including a modified sensing circuit and two power circuits;

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary memory device; and

FIG. 8 illustrates a processor based system having a memory device constructed in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Now referring to the drawings, where like reference numerals designate like elements, there is shown in FIG. 4, a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 illustrates a sensing circuit 300, a control circuit 350, a modified power supply 360′ and two power circuit 500 a, 500 b. The sensing circuit 300 of FIG. 4 is identical to the sensing circuit 300 of FIG. 3. The control circuit 350′, however, is a modified version of the control circuit 350 of FIG. 3, and is discussed in greater detail below with respect to FIG. 7. The power supply 360′ may be a simplified power supply, which does not supply the Vref or DVC2 voltages described above, as these voltages are now respectively generated by power circuits 500 a, 500 b.

FIGS. 5A and 5B respectively illustrate a first and second embodiments of the two power circuits 500 a, 500 b (denoted generally by numeral 500). As will be evident from the description of each embodiment, each power circuit 500 can be configured to generate different voltages. For example, the same power circuit 500 can be configured to generate the DVC2 or Vref voltages.

In FIG. 5A, a control circuit 501 receives power in the form of the Vcc voltage at node P1. The control circuit 501 also receives one or more control signals at node C1. Responsive to the one or more control signals asserted at node C1, the control circuit 501 creates either a positive magnitude pulse W1 or a negative magnitude pulse W2. Pulses W1 or W2 are output from the control circuit 501 and received by a driver 502, which is used to charge a capacitor 503. By varying the magnitude and/or pulse width, and/or by selecting between a positive W1 or negative W2 magnitude pulse, in response to the state of the control signal(s) received at node C1, the control circuit 501 can cause the driver 502 to charge capacitor 503 with different levels of charge, thereby configuring the capacitor 503 to couple either the Vref, DVC2, or any other desired voltage at node P2. In one exemplary embodiment, the cell plate of the resistive memories are maintained at 1.2 volts, the DVC2 voltage is 1.0 volt, and the Vref voltage is 1.1 volts. However, it should be recognized that the invention may be practiced using different voltage parameters.

The pulse width and/or magnitude of the pulses may be varied to change the total amount of charge transferred by the driver 502 to the capacitor 503, thereby changing the magnitude of the voltage coupled to P2. Similarly, by permitting the control circuit 501 to produce either a positive going pulse W1 or a negative going pulse W2, the voltage at P2 can be used to either pull up or down the existing bit line voltage. The parameters for the pulse width, pulse magnitude, and the selection between a positive going W1 or negative going W2 pulse may be performed by asserting the appropriate control signals at node C1. Since many of these parameters are process dependent, they may vary for each memory chip. Thus, a memory device incorporating the invention may include a calibration circuit that calibrates the pulse parameters during start-up and/or reset.

In FIG. 5B, the order of the control circuit 501 and the driver 502 are reversed. The driver 502 is supplied a positive going W1 or negative going W2 pulse of the Vcc voltage, which is then supplied to a control circuit 501. As with the embodiment of FIG. 5A, the control circuit 501 accepts one or more control signals at node C1. Because there is no driver stage between control circuit 501 and the capacitor 503, the control circuit 501 of FIG. 5B is more limited in its capabilities in comparison to the circuit 501 of FIG. 5A. However, the circuit 501 in FIG. 5B can be used to trim the magnitude or pulse width of the pulses W1, W2, thereby reducing the magnitude of the voltage output at node P2.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a sensing circuit 300′ according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention. More specifically, in FIG. 6, the sensing circuit 300 of FIG. 5 has been replaced with a modified sensing circuit 300′. The modified sensing circuit 300′ differs from the sensing circuit 300 of FIGS. 3-4 in that the reference setting circuit 320 (FIGS. 3-4) has been eliminated. As a result, the equalization circuit 310 now directly couples to the isolation circuit 330. Power circuits 500 a, 500 b are now respectively coupled to one of the two bit lines associated with the sensing circuit 300′. The control circuit 350′ is a modified version of the control circuit 350 (FIG. 3), and is discussed in greater detail below with respect to FIG. 7.

The power circuits 500 a, 500 b are now also coupled to the REFE and REFO control signals. In the illustrated configuration, the power circuits 500 a and 500 b are respectively being used to generate voltages which will be coupled to both bit lines. For example, power circuit 500 a can be configured via control signals REFE and REFO to set a particular a bit line (e.g., bit line 121 a) to the Vref voltage. At the same time, power circuit 500 b can be configured to either idle, if the previously applied Veq voltage is deemed suitable for the forthcoming sensing operation, or to supply a specific voltage to the other bit line (e.g., bit line 121 b). The power circuits 500 a and 500 b of FIG. 6 are essentially identical to the power circuit 500 illustrated by FIGS. 5A and 5B, but require a somewhat more complex control circuit 501 for responding to the REFE and REFO control signals.

FIG. 7 illustrates in block diagram form the organization of a memory device 200′ constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention. The memory device 200′ includes a plurality of memory arrays 210 a, 210 b, sensing circuits 300 a/300′a-300 d/300 d′, and power circuits 500 a-500 h. More specifically, each array (e.g., 210 a) is associated with a respective sensing circuit (e.g., 300 a/300 a′ and 300 b/300 b′). Each sensing circuit (e.g., 300 a/300 a′) is respectively associated with a pair of power circuits (e.g., 500 a and 500 b). A single control circuit 350′ is used. When processing a read transaction, the control circuit 350′ identifies the sensing circuit (e.g., 300 a/300 a′) associated with the cell to be read and activates only the power circuits (e.g., 500 a and 500 b) associated with that sensing circuit. The memory device 200′ also includes a conventional power supply 360′ for supplying the Vcc and Veq voltages to the plurality of sensing circuits. However, the conventional power supply 360′ and its connections are not illustrated in order to avoid cluttering the figure.

The present invention is therefore directed to the use of one or more power circuits for producing from an existing power supply voltage tap, one or more voltages necessary for sensing the state of the resistive memory cell. More specifically, one or more power circuits are supplied at least one control signal and the Vcc voltage. A pulse train is driven by a driver and controlled by a control circuit to charge a capacitor. The level of charge stored on the capacitor permits the Vcc voltage to generate a variety of voltages, which can subsequently be supplied to various components of a sensing circuit, thereby eliminating the need for the power supply itself to include voltage taps at these voltage levels.

FIG. 8 illustrates a processor based system 800. The system 800 is exemplary of a digital system. Without being limited, system 800 could be a part of a computer system, camera, scanner, machine vision system, vehicle or personal navigation system, portable telephone with camera, video phone, surveillance system, auto focus system, optical tracking system, image stabilization system, motion detection system, or other digital system. System 800 generally comprises a bus 820. Coupled to the bus 820 are a processor, such as CPU 802, a memory, such the memory 200′ of FIG. 7, and a plurality of I/O device 806 a, 806 b.

It should be appreciated that other embodiments of the invention include a method of manufacturing the circuit 700. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, a method of manufacturing a power supply circuit include the steps of providing, over a portion of a substrate corresponding to a single integrated circuit, control circuit coupled to a driver, and a capacitor coupled to either the drive or the control circuit.

While the invention has been described in detail in connection with the exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the above disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alternations, substitutions, or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited by the foregoing description or drawings, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A sense circuit coupled to a first bit line connected to a resistive memory cell to be sensed and a second bit line, the sense circuit comprising: a power supply for supplying a primary voltage and an equalization voltage; a first power circuit, coupled to the power supply for receiving the primary voltage and producing a first reference voltage different from the primary voltage; an equalization circuit, coupled to the first and second bit lines, and to the power supply for receiving the equalization voltage, the equalization circuit being configured to set a voltage of the first and second bit lines to the equalization voltage; a reference circuit, coupled to the first and second bit lines and the first power circuit, for receiving the first reference voltage, said reference circuit being configured to set a voltage of said second bit line to the first reference voltage; a sense amplifier, controllably coupled to the first and second bit lines; and a control circuit, for calibrating and controlling the first power circuit.
 2. The sense circuit of claim 1, wherein the first power circuit comprises: a pulse control circuit, the pulse control circuit receiving the primary voltage and a control signal, the pulse control circuit producing a pulse signal having at least one parameter controllable via said control signal; a driver, coupled to the pulse control circuit, for driving the pulse signal; and a capacitor electrically coupled to the driver, for storing charges received from the driven pulse signal and for providing the first reference voltage based on the stored charges.
 3. The sense circuit of claim 2, wherein the at least one parameter includes a pulse width parameter for controlling a width of the pulse signal.
 4. The sense circuit of claim 2, wherein the at least one parameter includes a pulse magnitude parameter for controlling a magnitude of the pulse signal.
 5. The sense circuit of claim 2, wherein the at least one parameter includes a pulse type parameter for controlling whether the pulse signal is positive or negative in magnitude.
 6. The sense circuit of claim 1, wherein the first power circuit comprises: a driver, for receiving a pulse signal and driving the pulse signal to a pulse control circuit; a pulse control circuit, coupled to receive a control signal, the pulse control circuit receiving the driven pulse signal and configured to alter at least one parameter of the driven pulse signal in accordance with a state of the control signal; a capacitor electrically coupled to said pulse control circuit, for storing charges received from said altered driven pulse signal, and for providing the first reference voltage based on the stored charges.
 7. The sense circuit of claim 6, wherein the control signal controls a trimming of a voltage magnitude of the driven pulse signal by the pulse control circuit.
 8. The sense circuit of claim 6, wherein the control signal controls a trimming of a width of the driven pulse signal by said pulse control circuit.
 9. The sense circuit of claim 6, wherein the pulse signal, the driven pulse signal, and the altered and driven pulse signal are each positive in magnitude.
 10. The sense circuit of claim 6, wherein the pulse signal, the driven pulse signal, and the altered and driven pulse signal are each negative in magnitude. 